how would you describe ride of TRD Sport vs. SR5.

Hello everyone, I know the off road uses a different stiffer suspension. I've driven the SR5 4WD and was told the TRD sport suspension is stiffer than the SR5. My driving would probably be 95% pavement. It would be used for snow areas but I don't do much off road really. The SR5 is a big change from the small AWD SUV I'm currently driving. Since I'm considering a small trailer...I thought the Tacoma would be a good choice for towing and hauling kayaks etc. And I thought the SR5 would be most like a normal suspension for road driving. I didn't mind the ride of the 2021 SR5 after I got used to it. I spent several hours in the SR5 and I did take on some moderate off road to engage the 4WD. What exactly is the difference in suspension on SR5 vs. sport? I find short test drives like you normally get at the dealer don't tell you much but I don't think I am going to rent a TRD sport for a day.

 

Stiffer than SR5, not bad but stiffer.

 

I believe the only two models that have different suspension are the TRD Offroad and the Pro?

All the others have the blue hitatchi ones, right?

 

I had a sr and now I have an off road..

sr, sr5 and limited shares suspension. It is a stiff ride.

trd sport I would say it is stiffer

off road is softer... way softer..

 

Sports get a lot of hate on here but I personally like the ride on pavement. You'll hear the Off Road ride described as really 'boaty' often, but the Sport handles pretty well stock on the road - I take corners pretty hard and it takes it like a champ. This is my first taco coming from german suspensions too and it's way better than I thought a truck could be on pavement. FWIW I haven't driven an SR5 and I'm also changing my suspension, but only because I got into wheeling (I swore I wouldn't which is one of the main reasons why I got the Sport in the first place). Sport suspension also does fine off road, not great but it still gets you places.

Welcome to TW btw

 

I haven’t ever driven a sport but I have owned both a 2016 SR5 and a 2020 OR and, contrary to many reports on here, I found them negligibly different on the road. I’m skeptical about all reports that claim vast differences between the two. I’m guessing I’d find the Sport no different. My advice is to drive both and decide for yourself.

Also note that the only difference between all the trims is the shocks. You aren’t choosing between different suspension travel, geometry, or spring rates.

EDIT: other differences in ride quality between the sport and SR5 could come from the tires. The sport had 17” rims and the SR5 has 16” rims, thus there is a 1” difference in sidewall height. This could lead to a “stiffer” feel in the sport

 

The major difference is that the sport comes equipped with a rediculously thick sway bar on the front. For a truck, it corners like it's on rails. The downside to it is that if only one wheel slams through a pothole you will feel it in your spine. Personally I love the way it drives. It has fantastic road feel for it's size.

 

I’ve never heard that the sway bar on the sport is any different.

 

The Sport will be slightly stiffer than the SR5. That helps reduce body roll and nose dive and keeps the truck planted. My 2017 TRD OR was almost squishy feeling and had a lot of nose dive when braking. Body roll was also more noticeable. It's definitely the softest of the three.

I got to drive my dad's SR5 a good bit and it rode and drove fine to me. My Sport is a little stiffer than the SR5 and it handles pretty well on pavement. I actually really like the Sport suspension, but that's very subjective. Definitely test drive them both to see which one fits your driving style the best.

 

I drove my friends SR5 and it felt bouncier than my TRD Sport. My step sister had a TRD OR and thats a whole different feeling. Sport is stiff, kinda like driving a sports car down a rough road (you feel everything).

 

Shit, I might have it backwards. The sway is thinner on the OR, while the sport has the standard 30mm bar but slightly stiffer coilovers.